Real Madrid’s “Galacticos” crashed to their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 at title rivals Sevilla on Sunday as Barcelona opened up a three-point lead at the summit.
Real were aiming to make it a perfect six wins and join Barcelona on maximum points, but instead Sevilla underlined their own credentials with a fifth straight win to move level on points with Real.
“We played really well and are on a roll at the moment,” Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano said. “If we continue playing like that, we can compete with Real and Barca at the top.”
PHOTO: REUTERS
Sevilla were good value for the win and could have won more convincingly had it not been for Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Jesus Navas headed Sevilla ahead on 33 minutes and the hosts should have scored more but for two wonder saves from Casillas.
Pepe headed home a fortunate equalizer on 49 minutes from a set-piece, before Brazilian Renato netted with yet another header after 66 minutes following a great ball from the impressive Navas.
“We knew we would lose at some stage,” Real Madrid midfielder Kaka said. “We were beaten by a good team and we need to improve some things. It was an intense game in which we created chances, but we made mistakes from set-pieces and got punished.”
It was a first defeat for Real boss Manuel Pellegrini who had won all seven of his matches in charge at home and abroad.
Real and Sevilla both trail Barcelona by three points after the champions beat Almeria 1-0 on Saturday for a sixth successive league win, matching a club record set in 1991 and 1998.
Real had lost Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of five league goals already this season, to an ankle injury, so captain Raul came in.
Sevilla fielded Real old boy Alvaro Negredo who had a point to prove after Madrid sold him for 15 million euros (US$7.3 million) in the summer.
The hosts bombarded Real with crosses and should have scored in the fourth minute, but Abdoulay Konko failed with a header.
Sevilla got the goal they merited on 33 minutes when Fernando Navarro clipped in a cross and Navas took advantage of Marcelo’s lack of awareness to bullet in a header. With halftime approaching, Casillas pulled off a miraculous save to stop a header from Renato. It stopped Sevilla going into the break with a psychological two-goal cushion and Casillas pulled off another unbelievable reflex save from Diego Perotti 90 seconds into the second half.
Sevilla should have been 3-0 up, but Real made them pay when Pepe headed a 49th-minute equalizer after some woeful defending.
The goal lifted Real, who came back into the game, but Renato glanced in a header on 66 minutes to deflate Casillas and Madrid.
In other matches, Serbian striker Nikola Zigic came back to haunt old club Racing Santander, coming off the bench to score a 60th-minute winner as Valencia won 1-0.
Zigic replaced the injured David Villa on 56 minutes and took just four minutes to make an impact and push Valencia up to fifth. He scored 13 goals in 19 games on loan at Racing last season and did not celebrate the goal out of respect for the Racing fans.
It was a first win in four for Valencia, although the injury to Villa is a concern. Villa limped off holding his hamstring and is likely to miss Spain’s 2010 World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Saturday although the European champions have already qualified for the finals.
Elsewhere, Villarreal and their new coach Ernesto Valverde were still waiting for their first win of the season after a frustrating 0-0 draw with 10-man Espanyol.
Sunday’s other results:
• Getafe 2, Osasuna 1
• Sporting Gijon 4, Mallorca 1
• Valladolid 2, Athletic Bilbao 2
• Xerez 1, Malaga 1
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely